Doorstop actuator



Nov. 2 192a. Y v1,605,292

A. J. SCHULZ ET AL DOORSTOP ACTUATOR Filed Feb. 7, 1924 Fig.1. 1 .2.

Patented Nov. 2, 1926.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ALFRED J. SCHULZ AND HERBERT H. SCI-IULZ, F MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN.

noonsror ACTUATOR,

Application filed February 2, 1924. Serial No. 691,112.

This invention relates to improvements in door stops.

There is a type of door stop, (one embodiment of which is disclosed in the co-pending application of Richard H. Buerger and Alfred J. Schulz, Serial No. 577,508, filed July 26, 1922), which includes a member pivoted to the door and adapted for movement between anelevated inactive position and an operative position, in which the door stop is disposed at an angle to the door to brace the door against closing movements. It is the primary object of this invention to provide a simple unobtrusive modification for the type of door stops aforesaid, whereby such a door stop can be operated with the foot instead or requiring manual manipulation. It is particularly desired that the actuating device shall be such as to have a limited movement. It will be understood thatif the actuator were made fast to the door step the stop would either have to be pivoted to the door at some distance therefrom or the projecting, foot-engaged portion of the actuator would impede the movement of the door stop by encountering the door during the downward movement of the stop. It is a further object of this invenion. therefore,,to provide a device in which the actuator has a limited movement, only sufficient to impel the door stop proper toward its operative position.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of one embodiment of this invention.

Figure 2 is a front elevation of the device shown in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a section taken on line 38 of Figure 2.

Figure i is a side elevation of a modified construction embodying this invention.

Figure 5 is a front elevation of the device shown in Figure l.

Figure 6 is a side elevation of a further modified construction.

Figure 7 is a front elevation of shown in Figure 6.

Figure Sis a detail view in plan of the actuator shown in Figures 6 and 7 Figure 9 is a front elevation of a device similar to the device shown in Figures 6 and Zibnti lustr in a fer ntmoun ing the actuator. r i

the device Figure 10 is a side elevation of a further modified embodiment of. this invention.

Figure 11 is a front elevation of the device shown in Figure 10. I

Figure 12 isra detail view on an enlarged scale, showing in perspective a fragmentaryportion of the device illustrated in Figures 10 and 11.

Like-parts are identified by the same reference characters throughout the several views.

lVhile the door stop is of the construction more particularly disclosed in the companion application above referred to, it will be understood that this invention may be applied to other door stops operating upon similar principles.

The door stop mounting includes a pairof spaced flanged plates 15 and 16, the flanges of said plates being designated respectively by reference characters 17 and 18. Suitable screws or nails 19 will be passed through the apertures of the plates to secure them in properly spaced relationship upon the inner face of a door, shown at 20 in Figures 1 and 3. In viewof the fact that device of this general character are well known it has not been thought necessary to disclose the mounting of the device other than in the two views aforesaid. V i

The door stop proper comprises a rod formed at one end with an eye 26. A transverse-bolt or pin 27 passes through plates 15 and 16 and through the eye 26 of the door stop 25, whereby to secure the stop in pivot-ed relation to door 20. It will be understood that when the door stop is lowered to the operative position, in which it is shown in broken lines in Figure 1, it will engage the floor or the ground beneath the door and act as a brace to prevent the door from moving in one direction.

hen it is desired to retain the door stop 25 in an inoperative position the stop is moved upwardly about pivot pin 27 to the positions indicated in full lines in Figures 1 and 2. The plate 16 is provided with a protuberance 29 behind which rod 25 will be engaged in the manner clearly indicated in Figures 1, 2, and 3. It will be understood that theplate 16 is sufficiently resilient to outwardly to permit the passage of rod25f1Preferably thearr'angement is such all that the rod will contact at its free end with the face of the door before plate 16 and protuberance 29 have been resiliently restored entirely to their normal positions. 'ihereby, the door stop will be retained quite rigidly in its inoperative position and W111 not have such freedom of movement to the rear of protuberance 29 as would permit it to rattle.

The protuberance 29, while it is desirable for the purpose of overcoming any tendency to rattle and for the purpose of retaining door step 25 firmly in place against mementum effects produced by sudden door movements, is not absolutely necessary to retain the door step in its elevated position, inasmuch as the door stop, as indicated in the drawings, is obviously movable beyond a balanced position about pivot pin 27 so that gravity tends to maintain the door stop in contact with the face of the door in he manner shown in Figure 1. It is very desirable, however, to make a device of this kind as inconsipcuous as possible and it is, therefore, considered an advantage to have plates and 16 of relatively small horizontal dimensions and to keep the pivot pin 27 fairly close to the face of the door. Thus, the angle of rod beyond the vertical is not considerable and the function of the button or protuberance 29 is more significant that might otherwise be assumed. Obviously, however, the operation of the actuating device hereinafter to be described will be unaffected by the question as to whether the door step is maintained in its inoperative position wholly bythe force of gravity or by some retaining; feature, such as the 'n'otuberance 29.

All of the different constructions of actuator hereindisclosed are comparatively simply and cheaply constructed. Each of'them is entirely automatic in its action, in the sense that it is restored to a position for subsequent operation by the movement of the door stop toward its inoperative position.

The actuator shown in Figures 1 to 3, inclusive, is positioned immediately adjacent plate 15 and exterior thereto. It comprises a lever which is generally of L- shape, having an arm 30 which normally projects horizontally and an arm 31 which normally projects substantially vertically. The arm 30 will preferably have a laterally bent flange 53 comprising a pedal, and arm 31 will carry atits end a transversely extending; finger 35 adapted for engagement behind rod The entire device is mounted as a bell crank upon the pivot pin 27, or upon some other convenient fulcrum. T he arrangement is such that when the rod 25 moiedupwardly to its inoperative position, as shown in full lines in Figures 1 and it will carry with it the bell crank, eluding arms 30 and 31, and will retain behind it linger lVhen the operator desires to release the door stop from its inoperative position behind protuberance 29 it will be necessary only for him to depress pedal 33, whereby the bell crank actuator will pivot upon pin 27 carrying with it, through the engage nent of finger upou rod 25, the door stop.

It is preferred that the movement of the actuator shall be limited. The movement should, of course, be sufficient to impel the door stop past the protuberance 29 and past the dead center position of the door stop above its pivotal axis. Thereafter, the door stop will fall, by its own weight, about pivot 27 to contact with the ground, where it will remain in operative position until restored manually or by the foot. of the operator. lt is not necessary, however, for the actuator to move a great distance in order to accomplish this result" In order that the door step may not project in an objectionable manner from the door, it is preferred that the actuating device be restricted in its movement so that it will not swing materially beyond the point in which it is illustrated in broken lines in Figure 1. The bell crank is, therefore, preferably provided with a shoulder portion 36 adapted to abut flange 17 and thereby to limit actuator movement.

The actuator shown in Figures l and 5 has substantially the same mode of operation as that already disclosed. It is, however, provided with an independent fulcram of its own, and instead of being made from sheet metal it may be made from a round bar or the like.

here the device shown in Figures l and 5 is to be used, the plates 15 and 16 will be provided with registering apertures spaced slightly above the apertures which receive pivot pin 27 for red 25. The actuator may comprise simply a piece of round bar material bent to form integrally a bell crank device somewhat similar to that disclosed above. The portions 38 and 89 of the bar are substantially in alignment and find a bearing in the apertures of plates 15 and 16. Intermediate these bearing portions 38 and 39 the bar is bent, as indicated in l igure 5, to provide an upwardly pro jecting tongue 4-0 adapted for engagement at the rear of rod 25. From one of the bearing' portions 38 or 39 the bar is bent to provide a pedal portion ll which normally 6X tends forwardly for engagement by the foot of the operator. The arrangement is such that when the door stop rod 2:? is in its elevated position, tongue if) of the integrally bent bar comprising the actuator will be engaged behind rod 25, as illustrated, and the pedal porition 41 of the bar will be sub stantially horizontal. When the operator presses downwardly upon the pedal portion 41jthe bar oscillates: upon means ;of' its hearing portions 38 and.39, thereby causing tongue portion 40 to contact with rod and impel said rod forwardly beyond its balanced position above the fulcrum pin 27. In Figures 6, 7 and 8 adevice is disclosed which corresponds quite closely to'the device" shown in Figures 1, 2, and 3, with the exception that it is formed to engage door stoprod 25 much closer to the aXis of said rod. a a

' In the construction illustrated in Figures 6, 7, and 8 the arm '30 and pedal 33 cor respond closely to the arm and pedal 33 of the device shown in Figures 1 to S. Simi larly, the arm 31'( and finger 35 correspondto the parts 31 and 35 of above men:- tioned disclosure; The length ofarm 31, however, is considerably less than the length of arm 81, and inorder to permit finger 35 to engage rod 25 an arcuate slot 43 is provided in the wall of plate 15. The extent of thisslot will also limit the arcuate movement of finger 35 and will thereby limit the ex tent of oscillation of the actuator. No shouldeli corresponding to shoulder 36 is necessary in the construction shown in FiguresG to 8 inclusive. f p It is particularly to be noted that the devices shown in Figures 1 to?) and Figures .6 to 8 may be mounted either internally or externally of plates 15 and 16. In Figure'9 We have illustrated the last described actuator fulcrumed upon pivot pin 27between plates 15 and 16 and immediately adjacent rod 25 instead of externally of plate 15, as disclosed in Figure 7.

In the construction illustrated in Figures 10 and 11 the door stop proper may conveniently comprise a strip of channel iron 25 mounted and arranged to correspond in function and operation to the rod 25. The flanged plates 15 and 16 may be identical with those already described. In place of bolts 27, however, we provide a pin 27' having a squared end upon which is mounted a lever 46. The lever 46 has a pedal portion 47 and a shoulder 48 arranged to abut the flange 17 of plate 15 and thereby to limit the oscillatory movement of the shaft section 27.

The shaft'section extends not only through plates 15 and 16 but also through registering apertures 49 and 50 in the flanges 51 and 52, respectively, of the channel iron door stop member 25. The arrangement is such that the door stop member can oscillate freely about shaft section 27.

Suitably positioned to project radially and downwardly from a central portion of shaft section 27 is a short arm which may take the form of a pin 53, and which is of sufficient length to contact with the central or web=15ortioifililibfitlieiehanldel iron door stop 2? The arrangement is such that when the pedal 47 on lever 46 is depressed the shaft said stop.

section 27 will receive oscillatory motion through its squared end 45, and will thereby be caused' to rock clockwise (as viewed in" Figure 12) to the extent permitted by shoul 'der 48. In the course of such rotation, pin

53, through its contact with web portion 54 of the channel iron brace member 25, will cause the brace member to oscillate past its neutral position above shaft section 27, whereby said brace member will fall by gravity into operative position.

It'will appear from the foregoing that there are avariety of possible constructions which may be utilized to satisfy in general thebroader objects of this invention. In each case a door stop of the type hereinb'efore specified is provided with anactuator' which preferably has a limited movement and is restored automatically to operative position by the finalmovement of the door stop to its inactive position. In each case the arrangement is such that the entire contrivance can readily be manipulated by the foot of the operator, the actuator pedal being so disposed with reference to the plane I of movement of the door step that there is no necessity for the operators foot interfering with the movement 0f the stop; Furthermore, due to the fact "that the limit ofmove' ment of the actuator "is preferably limited,

there will be nothing to interfere withthe free movement of the door stop or brace member in the several positions which such member -may assume when operative. We claim: V Y i b 1. A door stop device oscillatory in a substantially vertical plane through a balanced position above its pivot, in combination with an actuating device operatively' disposed with reference to' said door stop for the propulsionthereof through said position, said device being normally disconnected from 2. In a device of thecharacter described, the combination with a brace member oscillatory'in a substantially vertical plane, of an oscillatory actuator havinga portion engageable with said brace member for the propulsion thereof, and having anotherportion "adapted for pedal contact, said actuator being normally disconnected from said memher.

3. In a device of the character'described, the combination with a brace member pivoted for unobstructed movement in a substantially vertical plane, of an independently oscillatory actuator including aportion engageable' at one side of said member for the propulsion thereof in one direction, a pedal portion, and means for limiting the movement of said actuator in one direction while permitting continued movement of said il' sbfilis l s i v-el-ij t en- 4. In a device of the character described, the combination with a support and a brace all member pivoted for movement with respect thereto, of an actuator pivoted for independent movement with respect to said support and including a bell crank having two divergent arms, one of said arms being provided with a finger engageable behindsaid member.

5. In a device of the character described, thecombination with a bracketproviding a fulcrum, of a brace member oscillatory thereon, and an actuator engageable with-said brace memberand fulcrumed for limited in dependent movement with respect to said bracket.

6. In a device of the character described, the combination with a bracket providing a fulcrum, of a brace member oscillatory thereon, an actuating device fulcrumed for independent oscillation with respect to said bracket, a finger carried by said device and engageable behind said member,.and a stop means operative between said device and said bracket, whereby to limit the independent movement of said device.

7. In a device of the character described, .the combination with a bracket providing a fulcrum, of a brace member oscillatory .thereon between an operative position and an inactive elevated position, an actuator fulcrumed for independent movement with respect to said bracket, an arm carried by said actuator'and engageable behind said member in the elevatedposition thereof, a pedal connected with said arm, and means for limiting the oscillatory movement of said actuator.

8. In adevice of the character described, the combination with a bracket and a brace member oscillatory with respect thereto, of a bell crank fulcrumed co-axially with respectto said member for relative independent movement and provided with an arm adapted for engagement with said member, and a pedal flange connected with said bell crank and projecting laterally from the plane of movement of said member.

9. In a device of the character described, the combination with a bracket including a transversely extending fulcrum member, of a brace pivoted thereon for movement between an operative and an inactive position, a bell crank also pivoted thereon and provided with a normally horizontal arm, and a normally upright arm having a finger for engagement behind said brace, said bell crank being movable independently of said brace and said first mentioned arm being laterally offset from "the plane of movement of said brace, whereby to permit of the unobstructedmovement of said brace between the positions aforesaid.

10. In a device of the character described, the combination with a bracket providing a transversely extending fulcrum member, a

brace pivoted upon said member for movement between operative and inactive positions, means for frictionally retaining said brace in its inactive position, and an independently, movable actuator provided with a pedal portionand a portion engageable with said brace, said actuator being arranged for limited movement of adequate arcuate extent to relieve said brace from said frictional retaining. means.

11. In a device of the character described, the combination with a bracket, of a brace member fulcrumed thereto for movement in an upright plane, and an actuator fulcrumed co-ax'ially with said brace and movable independently thereof, said actuator being formed for interaction with said bracket, whereby its movementis limited.

12. In a device of .the character described, the combination with a bracket, of a brace member fulcrumed thereto for movement in an upright planeand an actuator includin means for engagement upon onesideof sai member, and pedal means projecting lateral- 1y from the plane of movement of said member, said actuator being fulcrumed to said bracket for movement independently of said member and being formed for interaction with said bracket, whereby to limit the degree of its movement.

13. In a deviceof the character described, the combination with a bracket including a pair of spaced plates, of a brace member fulcrumed between said plates, a fulcrum member extending transversely of said plates and providing a pivot for said brace mem her, and an actuator supported upon said fulcrum member externally of said plates and provided with a forwardly projecting arm and an upwardly projecting arm having ,a portion offset from said forwardly proj eoting arm and in the path of movement ofsa-id brace member,said offset portion being normally disengaged from said brace member.

14. In a device of the character described, the combination with a bracket including a pair of spaced plates, of abrace member fulcrumed between said plates, a fulcrum member extending transversely of said plates and providing a pivot for said brace member, and an actuator supported upon said fulcrum member externallyof said plates and provided with a forwardly projecting arm and an upwardly projecting arm having a portion offset from said forwardly projecting arm and in the path of movement of said brace member, said actuator being formed for interaction with one of said plates, whereby to limit the extent of its oscillatory movement.

ALFRED J. SOHULZ. HERBERT H. SCHULZ. 

